The Tánaiste made the comments after being asked about the Dublin Central by-election and Gerry Hutch’s plan to run as a candidate. Mr Harris noted voters in Dublin Central had already rejected Mr Hutch in the last general election. He said he did not expect Mr Hutch to win this time either and believed voters would deliver the same message again. He also mentioned he was uneasy about how Mr Hutch was being treated “almost like a celebrity". “I’m no leader of any crime gang,” Mr Hutch said.

Source: Irish Examiner February 25, 2026 13:31 UTC